Toilet flushing assembly



Patented Aug. 31, 1948 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOILET FLUSHING ASSEMBLY James F. Molloy, Oakland, Calif. 1 Application August 21, 1946, Serial No. 691,910

. 1 This invention relates to toilet flushing assemblies and more particularly to the water inlet and I outlet controls. I

. alignment of and hydraulic control of the buoyant fiushing valve.

Another object is the concealment and protection of the water tank within the wall of the building.

Another object is the location of the toilet bowl at any desired position relative to the water tank, and the placement of the flushing control relative to the tank and the toilet bowl.

A further object is to lessen the noise incidental to the filling and emptying of the tank, and to protect the water service within the building from toilet contamination.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses. In the specification and accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, because it may be mbodied in modification within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

In the three sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in vertical section, diagrammatically illustrating the manner of installing the water tank and toilet bowl, relative tothe building wall.

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the control housing with the water control mechanism assembled therein.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same with the housing broken away at the front.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, partially in vertical section on the line IV-IV, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical section on the line V'V, Fig. 3, of the buoyant flush valve.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail in vertical section of the self-closing pressure valve of the water service. 1

In detail the structure shown in Fig. 1, comprises the conventional building wall I, shown in vertical section, and having the water tank 2 concealed and supported therein. .This tank has the water inlet pipe 3, the flushing outlet 4' and the overflow pipe 5 extending upwardly within the tank to the desired water level 6. 'The tank 2 is pressure and water sealed against leakage and overflow externally within the wall I, and has no moving parts, requiring access thereto.

10 Claims. (01. 4-249) The toiltt bowl 'I is mounted upon the floor 8- and connected with the sewer system in the usual manner. The upper portion of the bowl unit has the rear extension 9, upon which the housing III is mounted above the flushing inlet II of the bowl I. This housing has the ornamental cover I2.

Referring to 3, the water service pipe I3 passes upward through and is sealed in the bottom ll of the housing and is connected with the self closing pressure valve I5, see Fig. 6. This valve body has the transverse partition I6 between the inlet I1 and outlet I8, with a center opening I9 therethrough and forming a valve seat. The cylinder 20 is centrally bored to form a pressure chamber 2 I, above the piston valve 22 slidable within the cylinder 20.

The top of the pressure chamber is closed by the plug 23, having the neck 24, and is forced against the top of the cylinder by the coupling nut 25 threaded thereon. This nut has the integral extension 26, with a lock nut thereon. The vent opening through the plug 23 and the neck 24' is closed by the spring seated vent valve 21, seating against a plug screwed into the neck 24, through which the valve stem 28 extends above the neck 24.

Pressure water entering at H seeps past the piston valve 22 and builds up pressure within the chamber 2I beneath the vent valve forcing the piston valve 22 against the seat at I9 stopping the flow of water to the outlet [8, until the vent valve 21 is opened by mechanical force applied to the protruding stem 28, as hereinafter described, which releases the pressure within the chamber 2|, past the vent valve. This permits the piston valve 22 to rise and open the valve seat at l9, and the water under service pressure to'flow through the outlet l8.

The tubular dash pot 29 fixed to the valve body I5, is open to the outlet I8, see Fig. 4. This dash pot has the plunger 30 freely slidable therein against the expansion of the spiral spring 3|, interposed between the plunger 30 and the cap 32 on the end of the dash pot. This plunger acts as a timed slide valve for opening and closing the side outlet nipple 33, fixed in the side of the dash pot and connected with the inlet 3, leading into the tank, 2. The volume of water flowing into the dash pot at I8, is momentarily impounded excepting that water rushing through the by-pass 52. The residual water and atmospheric pressure between the plunger and the cap 32, escaping through the small aperature 35, affords an assured interval for the raising of the flushing nut thereon.

access:

5, the excess flows down the overflow pipe and into the cylindrical overflow cup36, having the side outlet 31, discharging into the housing II.

This outlet is normally closed by the slide valve 38 within the cup, that is lifted by the overflow from the tanki.

.The rise of the slide valve 38 actuates the lever 39, pivoted at 40 on the bracket 4|, that is mounted upon the .top of the coupling nut 24 by the lock The rise of the lever 39 releases the stem 28 of the vent valve 21, closing the pressure chamber and causing accumulated water pressure to-seat the piston valve 22, stopping further flow of water into the tank 2, when the level 8 has been reached; The weight of the suspended slide valve 38 and the lever 39 is held in static balance in the elevated position by the expansion of the non-magnetic spring 42, interposed between the bracket 4| and the lever 39. This spring surrounds the magnetic armature 42' on the bracket and the bi-polar magnet 43 fixed to the underside of the lever 39 functions to detachably hold this lever in depressed or operative position, as in Fig. 3.

The fully automatic operation of the flushing L mechanism is initiated by a manual control, such as the push button 44, having the stem 45 hearing against the top of the lever 39. This button is assembled in the base 46 mounted in the cover l2 of the housing. For push wire remote control of the flushing cycle, the push button 41 has its stem 48 fixed to the end of the wire 49, which has its opposite end looped around the pin 50, welded to the extended end of the lever .39. The stem 48 is guided in the base 5| extending into the building wall at any desired point relative to the housing Ill. If preferred, the button assembly at 5| may be mounted in the floor adjacent the toilet bowl I, for foot control of the flushing mechanism.

.When either of the buttons 44 or 41 are pushed the lever 39 is depressed, which lowers the slide valve 38, shutting ofi the outlet 31. It also depresses the protruding stem 28 of the vent valve, permitting the piston valve 22 to rise, admitting water and pressure into the dash-pot 29 in front of the plunger 30. This incoming flow also enters the by-pass 52 leading to the tubular vertical guide 53 in the outlet cup 54, having the valve seat 55 in its bottom and open to the nipple flushing outlet 55, .discharging into the inlet ll of the toilet bowl. This outlet 58 has the lateral drain openings such as 51, which drain the housing ill of all water accumulating iron: the outlet 31 and any leakage that may occur from the assembly within the housing.

The valve seat 55 is closed by the resilient and buoyant flushing valve 58, having the axial stem 59 guided in the vertical tubular guide 53. The

initial thrust of the water entering through the by-pass 52 unseats the buoyant valve 58, which rises in the water with which the cup 54 is constantly filled by water from the tank 2, through the flushing outlet 4. When the buoyant valve 58 is unseated as described, it rises until it strikes the stop 59 on the cover 60 which seals the top 01 the cup 54 at all times. The rise of the valve and manual 4 58 empties the contents bowl of the toilet.

When the lever 39 is depressed by the manual control button 44 or 41, it overcomes the tension of the spring 42. and brings the bi-polar magnet 43 into contact with the armature 42', fixed in alignment on the bracket 4|, which holds the lever down, as shown in Fig. 3. The service water inflow backs up the plunger 38 until it uncovers the outlet nipple 33 and fills the tank to the level 5. When the tank water flows down the overflow pipe 5. it lifts the slide valve 38 and the lever 39, which releases the vent valve stem 28 permitting the vent valve to close and water pressure to of the tank 54 into the build up in the chamber 2| and seat the piston.

to the drains at 51. This completes the flushing 20' cycle through the toilet and resets the buoyant valve 58 and all the hydraulically and positively operated flushing mechanisms ready for a repeat flushing cycle when the manual control button such as 44 is again pushed.

In this disclosure the invention has been limited to its application toilet flushing. It is equally adaptable to other uses, where periodic flushing is desired, such as periodic emptying of irrigation reservoirs, sewer flushing and the like.

Having fully described this invention and its mode of operation what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tank having a water inlet pipe, a flushing outlet pipe and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a service valve interposed in said water inlet pipe; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a water by-pass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and tank and terminating in a tubular guide concentric with said outlet valve seat; a buoyant valve closing said seat and having a stem slidable in said guide; a service valve closing means controlled by the overflow through said overflow pipe; and manual means for opening said service valve.

2. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tank having a water inlet pipe, a flushing outlet pipe and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a service valve interposed in said water inlet pi a dash pot in erposed in the said tank inlet pipe between said tank and service valve and having a side outlet to said tank inlet and a plunger slidable in said dash pot normally closing said side outlet; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a water 7 by-pass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and dash pot and terminating in a tubular guide concentric with said flushing outlet valve seat; a buoyant valve closin said outlet valve seat and having a stem slidable in said guide; a service valve closing means controlled by the overflow through said overflow pipe; means for opening said service valve. 3. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tank having a water inlet pipe, a flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending up ward to the'water level in said tank; a service valve interposed in said water inlet pipe and having a pressure chamber with a piston valve slidable therein beneath a vent valve having a stem protruding beyond the body of. said valve; a sealed cup in erposed in said flushing outlet pipe water tank having a water outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upmounted pipe and tank and water tank having a water inlet pipe,

leading from said inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and tank and terminating in a tubular guide concentric with said outlet seat; a buoyant valve closing said seat and having a stem slidable in said guide; a service .valve closing means actuating said vent valve stem and controlled by the overflow through said overflow pipe; and manual means for opening said service valve.

4. A toilet flushing ass mbly comprising a inlet pipe, a flushing ward to the water level in said tank; a service valve body interposed in said water inlet pipeand having a pressure chamber with a piston valve slidable therein and closing a valve seat in said body, beneath a vent valve having a stem protruding beyond said valve body; a counterbalanced lever pivoted on said valve body and actuating said vent valve stem; a magnet and an armature interposed between said lever and valve body; a sealed cup interposed in 'said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a buoyant valve closing said seat; a water bypass leading from said inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and tank and unseating said buoyant valve; a service valve closing'means actuating said lever and controlled by the overflow through said overflow pipe; and manual means for actuating said lever to open said service valve.

5. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tank having a water inlet pipe, a flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a toilet bowl having a flushing inlet connected with the flushing outlet pipe of said tank; a housing on said bowl; a sealed 'cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe within said housing and having a valve seat therein; a buoyant valve closing said seat; aservice valve interposed in said water inlet pipe; a water bypass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service leading to said cup beneathsaid buoyant valve; a cylindrical overflow cup at the outlet end of said overflow pipe and having a side outlet closed by a slide valve in said overflow cup; and controlling means for actuating said lever.

6. A toilet flushing assembly within a building and having a water tank concealed within the wall ofthe building, and having a water inlet pipe, 9. flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a toilet bowl having a flushing inlet connected 'with the flushing outlet pipe of said tank; a housing mounted on said bowl and draining into said toilet inlet; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe within said housing and having a valve seat therein; a buoyant valve closing said valve seat; a service valve interposed in said water inlet pipe; a bypass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and tank and leading to said cup beneath said buoyant valve; a service valve closing means actuated by the overflow from said tank through said overflow pipe; and manual means for opening said service valve.

7. A- toilet flushing assembly comprising a a flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a service valve body interposed in said water inlet pipe and having a pressure chamber with a piston valve a lever actuated by said slide valvesaid service valve; and manual descending in said overflow slidable therein and closing a valve seat in said body; a vent valve closing said chamber and having a protruding stem; a counterbalanced lever pivoted on said valve body and actuating said vent valve stem; a magnet and armature attached to said body and lever respectively; a dash pot interposed in said tank inlet pipe between said tank and service valve and having a side outlet to said tank inlet and a plunger slidable in said dash pot normally closing said side outlet; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a water bypass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and dash pot and terminating in a tubular guide concentric with said flushing outlet valve seat; a buoyant valve closing said outlet valve seat and having a stem slidable in said guide; and a service valve closing means convvent; valve closing said chamber and having a protruding stem; a counterbalanced lever pivoted on said valve body and actuating said valve stem; means for detachably holding said lever in operative position; a dash pot interposed in said water inlet pipe between said tank and service valve and having a side outlet to said tank inlet, and a plunger slidable in said dash pot normally closing said side outlet; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a buoyant valve closing the valve seat in said cup; a water bypass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and dash pot and terminating below said buoyant valve; an overflow cup at the outlet end of said overflow pipe and having a side'outlet; a slide valve'in said overflow cup and attached to and releasing said lever from saidholding means by the water descending in said overflow pipe and releasing said vent valve stem'to close said service valve.

9. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tank having a water inlet pipe, 2. flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said'tank; a service valve body interposed in said water inlet pipe and having a pressure chamber with a piston valve slidable therein and closing a valve seat in said body; a vent valve closing said chamber and having a protruding stem; a counterbalanced lever pivoted on said valve body and actuating said valve stem; means for magnetically holding said lever in operative position; a dash pot having a vented end cap and interposed in said water inlet pipe between said-tank and service valve and having a side outlet to said tank inlet, and a plunger slidable in said dash pot against the pressure of a spring bearing against said cap; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein; a buoyant valve closing the valve seat in said cup; a water bypass leading from said water inlet pipe intermediate said serv-,

ice valve and dash pot and terminating below said buoyant valve; an overflow cup at the outlet end of said overflow pipe and having a side outlet; a slide valve in said overflow cup and closing said side outlet therein and attached to and releasing said lever from said holding means by the water pipe and releasing said vent valve stem to close said service valve;

and manual means for actuating said lever to open said service valve.

10. A toilet flushing assembly comprising a water tankhaving a water inlet pipe, a flushing outlet pipe, and an overflow pipe extending upward to the water level in said tank; a toilet '8'. -potagainstthepressureofa bowl having a,flushing inlet connected with the flushing outlet pipe mounted on said bowl and draining into said toilet inlet; a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe within said housing above said toilet inlet and having a valve seat therein: a buoyant valve closing the valve seat in said cup; 9. service valve body interposed in said water inlet pipe and having a pressure chamber with a piston valve slldable therein and closing a valve seat in said body; a vent valve closing said chamber and having a protruding stem a counterbalanced lever pivoted on said valve body and actuating said vent valve stem; a permanent magnet and an armature fixed on said valve body and said lever respectively and holding, said lever in operative position; a dash pot having a vented end cap, and

of said tank; a housing interposed in said water inlet pipe between said tank and service valve and having a side outlet to said tank, and a plunger slidable in said dash against said can: a sealed cup interposed in said flushing outlet pipe and having a valve seat therein a buoyant valve closing the valve seat in said cup; -a water bypass leading from said water-inlet pipe intermediate said service valve and dash pot and overflow cup at pipe and having overflow cup and closing said side outlet therein and attached to magnetic holding means by the water descending in said overflow pipe and releasing said mt valve stem to'close said service valve:

and manual open saidservice JAIME 1 MOLIOY.

REFERENCES CITED *UNITED sums PATENTS means for actuating said lever to valve.

Number Name Date 1,554,265 Elrod Sept. 22, 1925 1,898,337 Brooks Feb. 21, ess

below said buoyant valve; on the outlet end or said overflow a side outlet a slide valve in said and-releasing said lever from said 

